The term "ceramics" refers to pottery made of rough clay and porcelain made of porcelain or kaolin clay, which has a fine white color, high density, and hardness.
Each of Japan's 47 prefectures produces a different type of ceramic ware. As the ceramics are made from local clay or porcelain, most of them are named after the place of origin plus firing. For example, "Iwanri-yaki," "Karatsu-yaki," and "Mino-yaki" are popular names.
To understand Japanese ceramics, it is best to start with the three famous potteries: Arita-yaki in Saga Prefecture, Mino-yaki in Gifu Prefecture, and Seto-yaki in Aichi Prefecture. These places are worth exploring before moving on to other ceramics in Japan.
1. Arita-yaki in Saga Prefecture
Arita-yaki is famous worldwide as the place where porcelain clay was first discovered in Japan. The firing of porcelain began in the 16th century. Porcelain from the Arita area was shipped from the port of Ivory, making it also known as Ivory-yaki. It is one of the three most famous ceramic production areas in Japan. Arita-yaki was influenced by Chinese blue and white porcelain, and the initial style was white with blue flowers. The porcelain was light and white, making it popular tableware in Japan.
Arita-yaki is essential in Arita, and at the local Taoyama Shrine, not only is the god of pottery worshipped, but there are also essential structures like torii made of "Arita-yaki."
2. Seto-yaki in Aichi Prefecture
Seto-yaki, produced in Seto, Aichi Prefecture, has a much longer history than Arita-yaki. It has a history of 1,000 years and is one of the six oldest kilns in Japan. While other regions were still producing unglazed plain pottery, ceramists in Seto already knew how to use glaze to fire hard porcelain. During the Meiji period, after the technicians learned the technique of celadon in Arita, they focused on firing celadon.
3. Mino-yaki in Gifu Prefecture
Mino-yaki is produced in Tajimi and Toki, Gifu, adjacent to Seto. It is the place where most ceramics are produced in Japan today. The area's prosperity is due not only to the abundance of clay but also because Seto potters moved to Mino to escape the terrible thing. It later developed into a representative of the Momoyama period culture in Japan. Mino-yaki was first fired more than 700 years ago. Today, about 60% of all Japanese pottery is Mino ware.
In addition to the three famous potteries, several other Japanese ceramics are worth knowing.
1. Tsunagata-yaki, Aichi Prefecture
Tsunagata-yaki is the largest of the six ancient kilns in Japan. It flourishes because it is located near the sea and can be easily transported throughout Japan. The local clay has high iron content, so it is fired at about 1,100 degrees Celsius to produce vivid vermillion color. It is used to make vermilion clay Japanese teapots.
2. Shiga Prefecture Shigaraki
Shigaraki is also one of the six ancient kilns. The ceramists use unfiltered and different types of clay to create rough and simple-looking but naturally beautiful works. The most representative style is the red-colored clay with white feldspar particles, full of red scorch marks and white spots. Shinra-yaki was used for the roof tiles of the emperor in those days. Nowadays, Shinra-yaki produces a lot of food utensils, flower vessels, and water jars, which exude the beauty of Japanese relaxation.
3. Karatsu-yaki, Saga Prefecture
Karatsu-yaki, from the Karatsu region of Saga Prefecture, is synonymous with Western Japanese ceramics. It became famous when potters from the Korean peninsula came east in the 16th century and contributed to the rapid development of Karatsu-yaki. The products are mainly made in the simple and clean style of the middle of the Joseon Dynasty, and the most classic style of Joseon Karatsu is a white straw-gray glaze over a black iron glaze, making a black-and-white contrast.
